4 Mar 11 @ 05:40pm by Peter Bodkin
AUTHORITIES hope a “zero-tolerance” policy for off-leash dogs at Federation Point will help prevent any repeat of last December’s slaughter of the area’s protected little penguin colony.
The Department of Environment Climate Change and Water and Manly Council have released a joint “action plan” to protect the endangered animals, which includes the promise of clamping down on members of the public illegally allowing their dogs to run free at the breeding sites.
But volunteer penguin wardens have called on the State Government to provide the colonies with further shielding by extending stringent “critical habitat” zones in place at North Head and Manly Point to include areas near Federation Point.
DECCW deputy director Sally Barnes said the department was considering declaring the area critical habitat and had made a formal request to the NSW Scientific Community for advice on the matter.
The action plan comes following the decimation of the colony from two attacks, with seven little penguins, including one chick, killed near Federation Point last year by a dog and 13 birds mauled by a dog or fox in 2009.
Manly’s little penguin population is currently estimated to be around 60 breeding pairs, of which about five breed under Manly Wharf or at Federation Point.
REDUCING THE DANGER
-zero tolerance for people ignoring dog off-leash bans around Manly Cove
-CCTV to monitor the nesting area on Federation Point
-Expanding Wildlife Protection Areas to include the western boardwalk steps near the Bathers Pavilion
-Upgrading fencing on the boardwalk at Federation Point to better prevent fishermen and dogs entering the nesting areas
-Discussions with NSW Fisheries and Maritime about ways of reducing impact on the colony from boats
-Improve community education, including for boaters entering Manly Cove.
Source
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